Gran Turismo Sport Redefined Racing Simulation

A Deep Dive into the 2017 Blockbuster’s Impact and Legacy

Released in 2017, Gran Turismo Sport offered a revolutionary take on racing simulations, prioritizing competitive online play and official FIA partnerships. This title marked a significant evolution for the Gran Turismo series.

FIA Partnership Drives Competitive Edge

Developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4, Gran Turismo Sport became the official platform for the FIA’s Gran Turismo championships. This collaboration underscored the game’s commitment to authentic esports competition.

Expanding Content and Player Reach

Launching with 168 cars and 29 tracks, Gran Turismo Sport saw substantial growth through free updates, eventually featuring 338 vehicles and 82 track configurations by July 2021. These updates also introduced a much-requested single-player campaign mode.

The game achieved remarkable commercial success, selling 12.977 million copies, solidifying its position as the second-best-selling entry in the franchise. Its successor, Gran Turismo 7, arrived on March 4, 2022.

Innovative Gameplay Mechanics and Classifications

Gran Turismo Sport introduced distinct “Sport Mode” and “Arcade Mode” gameplay. A compulsory online connection was required for saving progress, a departure from earlier titles. While lacking dynamic weather and day-night cycles, players could set race timings pre-race.

A key innovation was the inclusion of Porsche cars for the first time, following the expiration of Electronic Arts’ licensing agreement. Cars were meticulously categorized into new classes such as GR.1, GR.2, GR.3, GR.4, GR.B, N Class (segmented by horsepower), and GR.X for experimental vehicles.

Championing Fair Play and Global Competition

The “Sport Mode” featured daily races and a sophisticated rating system. Players were assessed on their “Driver Rating” for skill and “Sportsmanship Rating” for on-track conduct. The highest ratings, A+ for driving and S for sportsmanship, were achievable, with a special “S+” rating reserved for the top 200 global players. The “Balance of Performance” system ensured competitive parity across all vehicles.

Two official FIA-sanctioned tournaments, the Nations Cup and Manufacturers Cup, were held annually. The 2018 Nations Cup saw **Igor Fraga** from Brazil claim victory, with **Mikail Hizal** and **Cody Nikola Latkovski** securing second and third respectively. Lexus, represented by drivers from the USA, France, and Japan, won the Manufacturers Cup.

Limited VR Integration and Service Cessation

While initially promised full PlayStation VR support, it was ultimately limited to the “VR TOUR” mode and “Time Trial” via updates. The game’s online services officially concluded on January 31, 2024, with all downloadable content removed from the PlayStation Store on December 1, 2023.

WRC 6: A Focused Rally Experience

Kylotonn’s Second Entry Emphasizes 2016 Season

Released in 2016, WRC 6 was Kylotonn’s second title in the World Rally Championship series, focusing on the 2016 season. Notably, this installment did not feature Mitsubishi or Subaru cars and was not released on seventh-generation consoles.

The game included licensed cars and tracks from the 2016 WRC season, with the Toyota Yaris WRC available as a pre-order bonus. This marked Toyota’s official return to the WRC game series under Kylotonn’s development.

WRC 6 aimed to replicate the spirit of professional rally racing, offering a solid experience with tight tracks and accessible controls. While not reaching the car diversity or visual fidelity of Dirt Rally, it represented a commendable second effort from Kylotonn for the series.